Donna Scully, Owner and Director at Carpenters Group on Championing Women in Law
21 July 2025
Donna Scully, Owner and Director at Carpenters Group, recently featured in a special "Women in Law Supplement" of Modern Law Magazine.
In the piece, entitled "You Belong Here", Donna reflects on the power of visibility, the necessity of flexible and inclusive workplaces, and her mission to ensure women across the legal profession, especially those from non-traditional paths, can lead with confidence and thrive without compromise. In this inspiring interview, she shares her journey, her advocacy, and why true gender equity in law needs both courage and collaboration.
Why do you believe it's important to celebrate and highlight women in the legal profession today?
Because visibility matters! Celebrating women in law not only honours the incredible talent and resilience we see every day, but it also sends a powerful message to the next generation: 'you belong here'.
The legal profession has come a long way, but we're still on a journey, and shining a light on women's achievements helps pave the way for more inclusive progress. There are more and more women in very senior positions, winning awards and trailblazing the way for younger women coming after them. We need to celebrate that, and them, especially older women who will have found it so tough when the legal profession was much more male dominated, and before Me Too.
As someone who works closely with the legal sector, what unique perspectives have you gained on the challenges and opportunities for women in law?
I'm a lawyer and I worked really hard, taking a non- traditional route, to become one. Working alongside fellow legal professionals, I've seen firsthand how women often bring a unique blend of empathy, tenacity, and strategic thinking to the table. That said, I've also seen the hurdles, whether it's balancing career progression with family life, or navigating environments that haven't always been built with women in mind. Don't get me started on golf days!
I have come across both sexual discrimination and sexual harassment in my time and I am determined to try to make sure younger women coming after me don't have to experience it too. The opportunity lies in continuing to challenge the old norms and creating spaces where women can thrive without compromise. I am a mum of twin boys, well, men now, and I know only too well how tricking the elusive balance is. We have to create workplaces that are flexible, inclusive and supportive as that is where women thrive, in fact, it's where everyone thrives.
What advice would you give to the next generation of women looking to make their mark in the legal industry or related fields?
A Be bold, be curious, and back yourself. Find something you love and it will give you job satisfaction. Don’t wait for permission to speak up or step forward. Build your network, seek out mentors, and never underestimate the power of your own voice. And remember, resilience is a muscle, the more you use it, the stronger it gets. I'd also say don't be afraid to ask other women for advice and support as those of us who have been around a lot longer want to help. I always say to younger women I mentor, be yourself! Sounds so easy and logical but it's very tough, especially if you come from an ordinary
background, have taken an untraditional route to law or suffer from imposter syndrome (who doesn't!). We are all unique, we have our own story, strengths and personality. Own it and show it!
Why is it vital that firms across the legal industry actively champion and support the progression of women?
Because diversity isn't just a buzzword, it's a business imperative. When firms support women, they unlock stronger client relationships. It's not just the right thing to do; it's the smart thing to do. If you look at Carpenters Group, now 30 years old and counting, we have 50/50 women/men with virtually no gender pay gap. This has been achieved by acknowledging and introducing flexibility early on, meritocracy, an open mind and offering in-house, paid for training, which a lot of women took up. So, our gender balance is part of our values, culture and DNA. I believe it is a huge part of our success and makes us who we are.
In your view, what changes still need to happen to make the legal sector truly inclusive and equitable for women?
We need to move beyond policies and into practice. Walk the talk. That means flexible working that's diversity of the workforce, and a culture where inclusion is embedded-not just encouraged. It's about creating an environment where women don't just survive-they lead. I also think we need more men to support gender initiatives - this won't work if we exclude men, we need them to stand with us and help solve the problem together. That is when the magic happens.
How does Carpenters Group support gender diversity, and what initiatives are you most proud of in driving positive change?
At Carpenters Group, gender diversity isn't a tick box, it's part of who we are. So the most powerful thing we do is not an initiative, it is simply who we are and how we behave. I'm proud that women are represented at every level of business, including senior leadership. We are 50/50 - not by force but because we live and breathe inclusion and the data supports this. We champion social mobility, flexible working, support career development through mentoring and training, and foster a culture where everyone's voice is valued. Women and men work well at Carpenters, we respect and value our differences and know that we all need each other, whatever our sex, to thrive.
